Manufacture of ornamental chains



July 22, 1947- A. J. ENGLAND MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAINS 8 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Sept. 26, 1941.

INVENTO 4 BY 2 ATTORNEY July 22, 1947- y A. J. ENGLAND MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAINS Original Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 1947- A. J. ENGLAND Re. 22,901

- I MANUFACTURE OF QRNAMENTAL CHAINS Original Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet '3 jij, Q

I 1&7

'- INVENTOR ATTORNEY July 22, 1947.. A. J. EI;IGLAND R MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAINS Original Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 I v I i 9 INVENTORY 7 ywnonnsv July 22, 1947. A. J. ENGLAND MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAINS 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Sept. 26, 1941 L k A \\w IISVZATIO/I' July22, 1947. A. J. EN-GLAND Re. 22,901

MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTADCHAINS Original Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Shefc 6 July 1947- A; J. ENGLAND x Re. 22,901

MANUFAGTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAINS Original Filed Sept. 26, 1941 8 SheetsSheet 7 ATTORNEY July 22, 1947; A. J. E NGLAN.D

I MANUFACTURE OF ORNAMENTAL CHAINS Orig inaIFiled Sept. 26, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet B Reissued July 22, 1947 MANUFACTURE OF OBNAMENTAL CHAINS August J. England, Providence, R. 1., assignor to Clarence J. Schriever, Providence, R. 1.

Original No. 2,366,960, dated January 9, 1945, Se-

rial No. 412,448, September 26, 1941.

Application for reissue December 31, 1945, Serial No.

15 Claims.

My present invention relates to the jewelry art and more particularly to a novel construction of snake chain and a novel method and apparatus for making the same.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a novel apparatus and a novel methd of assembly for producing a snake chain having a high degree of flexibility and great strength.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for automatically and continuously making snake chain from sheet, stock.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for making snake chain which has a high degree of accuracy and which will withstand factory production without breakdown.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a continuous method of manufacturing snake chain in commercial quantities and with a minimum of waste of stock and a minimum of wear on tools.

With the above and other objects and advantageous features in view, my invention consists of a novel snake chain and a novel method and apparatus for manufacturing the same, more fully disclosed in the detailed description following, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and more fully defined in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation of a snake chain machine embodying my invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section of the die bed on line 2-2 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the die bed;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the blanking and piercing die on line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a similar view of the dapping die on line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the inserting die on line 66 of Fig. 3, the block 49 having moved over to the left;

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the cutting and drawing die on line l'l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a similar view of the assembly draw die on line 88 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 9 is a section taken along line 9-9 on Fig. 1;

Figs. 10 and 11 are perspective views of the cam for operating the lower plunger of the cutting and drawing die;

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the inserting die punch on line I2|2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 13 is a sectional view of the corresponding 2 die for the inserting die punch on line I3|3 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 14 is a view, partly in section, of the cutting and drawing die in a plane at right angles to Fig, 7 on line l4-l4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 15 is a view similar to Fig. 8 on an enlarged scale completely in section;

Fig. 16 is an enlarged section of the punch for the assembly draw die on line l6l'6 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 17 is a perspective view of the safety stop actuator on the blanking die partly in section as on line ll-l l of Fig. 4;

Fig. 18 is a similar view of the actuator 0n the cutting and drawing die partly in section as on line l8l8 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 19 is the wirin diagram for the automatic safety stop;

Fig. 20 is a perspective View of one of the stock positioning devices the die plate having been removed;

Fig. 21 is an enlarged fragmentary front elevation of the stop mechanism;

Fig. 22 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 23 is a perspective view of the stock after passing through the cutting and blanking die;

Fig. 24 is an enlarged perspective view of a crowfoot link;

Fig. 25 is a similar view of the link after dap- Pin Fig. 26 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 27 is a plan view of the stock after passing through the inserting die;

Fig. 28 is a section on line 28-28 on Fig. 27;

Fig. 29 is a view of the links after passing through the part of the cutting and drawing die;

Fig. 30 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 31 is a view of the links after the drawing operating in the cutting and drawing die;

Fig. 32 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 33 is a View of the assembled links; and

Fig. 34 is a plan view of the completed chain after passing through the assembly draw die.

The method The manufacture of my novel snake chain is an automatic and continuous operation from a single source of supply of sheet stock; the chain being formed in the following manner:

Referring to Figs. 1 and 23 to 34 inclusive, a continuous length of thin sheet stock [0 is fed into the machine I I at a uniform predetermined rate of speed. The stock I!) first passes through the blanking and piercing die [2, which blanks out the crowfoot links l3, see Fig. 24 and forms the piercings l4 in the blank, see Fig. 23. Each Each piercing comprises ansame number of segments as there are arms on the crowfoot link I3. This completes the first step.

In the second step the crowfoot links I3; are

carried by the machine to the. clapping .die 2,05. The die bends the crowfoot links I3 into the form shown in Figs. and 26, the heads I5 and necks I6 being bent upwardly and the center I'I remaining flat, to form a cup shape.

The third step carries the dapped crowfoot link into the inserting die 2I. The stock Ill, having emerged from the blanking and piercing die I2 is given a half-turn manually to position the burrs on the inside before. it is fed into the inserting die 2| The die 2 I inserts the arms of the crowfoot link I3 into the piercings I4, see Figs. 2 7 and 28, the heads I5 passing through the widest portions of the piercings. The link arms are pulled slightly inwardly, the necks IE entering the narrower portion of the piercings I4, so that the enlarged heads I5 prevent the links I3 from falling out. Simultaneously with th inserting operation, the arms I9 across the piercings are pushed inwardly as at 22 in Fig. 28, to provide the stock Ill with a substantially flat bottom and insure a smooth feed for the subsequent operations. This inward push also starts the bars I-9 bending in the proper direction for the drawing operation.

For the fourth step, the stock I9, now carrying the crowfoot links I3 in the piercings I4, passes into a cutting and drawing die 23, This die first cuts out an annular disc 24-, see Figs. 29 and 30, which includes the piercings I4 and link I3, and then d aws, the disc 24' into the form of a chain segment 25 as shown in Figs. 31- and 32. During the drawing operation, the flat outer periphery of the disc 24 is turned upwardly at right angles and since the pressure is applied only at the extreme ends of the cross bars IS, the stock drags throughthe die and forms a waxy exterior, see Figf3-2; the low points being adjacent the bars I3 where the pressure is applied and the high points being adjacent the piercings where the disc metal is unsupported. During this step, the bars I9- are again pushed inwardly, carrying the crowfoot link I3 upwardly with it so that the head portions I5 extend above the edge of the segment 25, see Fig. 32

In the fifth and final step, the. segments 25 are passed through the assembly draw die 26 which joins the segments together and locks them into the finished snake chain. As shown in Figs. 33 and 34, the segments 25 are pushed one over the other so that the enlarged heads I5 of each row e ink, '1 sses p a dl hrou the piercings I of the verticall adjacent segment and around the outer surface of the 'crowfoot link carried by the adjacent segment. The wavy edges of the segments causes them to align and, nest in each other as shown in Ifigi33 forming an unbroken annular outer surface and. alternate layers of crowfoot links I3 and cross bars I9 inside. Each crowfoot link I3 thereforeextends through its own segment piercing, past the bars 4 I9 in its own segment, and into the piercings of the vertically adjacent segment.

In this position, the nested segments are forced through the draw die 26 with the result illustrated in Figs. 33 and 34. The outer periphery of. each segment is lessened, the surplus stock crowding upwardly to increase the wavy curvature of the segment. This also reduces the diameter of the segment, and the cross arms I9 are pushed further inwardly and upwardly, moving the crowfoot links I3 further into the vertically adjacent segment. Simultaneously, the enlarged heads I5 of the crowfoot links I3 are crowded towards the center, see Fig, 34, due to the reduction of; the diameter of the segment. Since the piercings I4 are of narrower width adjacent the center, the enlarged heads I5 of each link I3 will overlap the cross-bars IQ of the vertically adjacent segment and cannot withdraw therefrom. The reduced diameter therefore locks the crowfoot heads in position, which in turn lock the segments to each other, thus completing the chain.

The resultant chain will possess a great deal of flexibility and the links will not part. The locking action is positive and permanent, and only a force sufficient to break the cross bars or crowfoot links will cause the chain to part. Furthermore, the hereinabove described. method permits the assembly of the chain with a maximum of ease, a minimum waste of stock, and a high degree of accuracy. The parts are not rammed or forced together or otherwise distorted until the chain is finally locked'together. The stamping of the blank and piercing from the same stock, and the insertion of the blank into the sheet stock before the cutting operation, permits more rapid and accurate assembly without complicated machinery and promotes ease. of operation and adjustment. Other advantages of th above method. will be readil apparent to a person skilled in the art. I

The apparatus A preferred machine for carrying out the novel method is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 22 inclusive. The machine II. is mounted on a, base 2 supported on suitable legs or standards 28 Mounted on the base 21 is an H-frame which comprises vertical arms 29 and 30 extending upwardly from opposite ends of the base, the arms 29' and 30 being joined by a horizontal support plate 3|, see Fig. 1, which carries the various plungers for the die punches. An operating shaft 32 is journalled in the upper ends of the arms 23 and 3!]; the shaft 32 being driven by a conventional pulley and belt arrangement 33 from one end, and being provided with a hand wheel 34 at its opposite end. The shaft 32 carries the various cams for operating the dies hereinafter tobe described.

The die bed A rectangular block 35 is mounted on the base 21 parallel to and just forward of the supporting plate 3I; the block 35 constituting a die bed for the various dies and punches of the machine. The block 35 is provided with a central longitudinal groove 36 extending throughout the length thereof and forming a rectangular channel. Referring to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, a rectangular block 31 is bolted in the channel 36 beneath the blanking and piercing die l2, the block 3] being flush with the top of th block 35. A block '38 is slidahly mounted in the channel 3Bto the left of the block 31 (Fig. 2) and is provided'with a'slot 39 in which spaced rollers 48 are mounted. A carrier plate 4| is bolted to the top of the block 38, adjacent one edge thereof, and extends over the top of the block 31. The plate 4| is slidable beneath the dies I2 and 20 and is provided with an opening 42 adapted to receive the crowfoot link blank l3 and align with die openings. A stop element 43 is bolted to the block 35 at the end of the channel 36 to limit the sliding movement of the block 38.

The block 38 is reciprocated in the channel 36 by a rocker arm 44 pivotally mounted on the plate 3|. The lower end of the rocker arm 44 is adjustable, as at 45, and extends between the rollers 49 in the block 38. The upper end of the rocker arm 44 is provided with a roller 46 extending into a groove 41 in a cylindrical cam 48 mounted on the shaft 32.

Slidably mounted in the channel 36 is a second block 49 to the right of the block 31, Fig. 2. The block 49 is provided with a vertical opening 59 which aligns with the die 28 when the block 49 is at its extreme left, and which aligns with the die 2| when the block 49 is at its extreme right. A plunger 5| is slidably mounted in the opening 68, as by the pin and slot arrangement 52, and may be resiliently retained in its lower position by a pin and spring arrangement 53.

Reciprocation of the plunger 5| is provided by an arm 54 pivotally mounted in a slot 55 in the block 35, the lower end of the plunger 5| riding over one end of the arm when the slide block 49 is at its extreme right. An operating plunger 56 extends vertically through the block 35, its lower end resting on the other end of the arm 54.

Sliding movement of the block 49 is provided by a cam and rocker arm arrangement similar to that of the block 38. The block 49 is provided with a slot 51 in which rollers 58 are mounted. A rocker arm 59 is pivotally mounted on the support plate 3| with its lower adjustable end 68 extending between the rollers 58 and its upper end being provided'with a roller 6| extending into the groove 62 of the cam 63.

A carrier plate 64 is fixed to the upper right edge of the block-49 and extends laterally therefrom. The plate 64 is provided with an opening 65 adapted to align with the die 23 when the block 49 is at its extreme left, and to align with the die 26 when the block 49 is at its extreme right. Movement of the block 49 to the right is limited by a block 68 fixed on the channel 36 beneath the die 23, the plate 64 being slidable thereover.

The block 66 is provided with a central vertical opening 61 in which a plunger 68 is slidable. The lower end of the plunger 68 is pivotally fixed to one end of a lever arm 69 which is pivoted in a slot 18 in the base 35. The other end of the arm 69 is pivotally fixed to a vertical rod 1| extending through the base 35 and being surrounded by a spring 12 urging the rod upwardly.

The various dies cooperating with the die bed hereinabove described may now be described as follows:

The blanking an piercing die The blanking and piercing die |2 comprises upper and lower die plates 13 and 14 which straddle the channel 36 of the die bed as shown in Fig. 3. The lower die element 14 is provided with a slot 15 through which the sheet stock is fed through the die, the initial positioning of the sheet stock in the slot being facilitated by lifting a hinged stock retainer bar 15:: provided with a handle 15b. The upper die element 13 is'prc- 6. vided with ofiset openings 16 and 11, the opening 16 being shaped to provide a blank for the crowfoot link I3 and the opening 11 being adapted to form the piercing l4. To insure accuracy of the various die operations regardless of any variations in the width of the stock, the lower die element is provided with a loose plate 18 shown in Fig. 20 along the right edge thereof which is slidable into the slot 15 and which is exposed through a cut-out 19 in the upper die element 13. Thus pressure on the plate 18 along the right edge will push the stock towards the left edge of the slot 15 which acts as a guide. A spring pressed guide finger 94a, see Fig. 20, is provided to push the loose plate 18 against the stock in the slot 15, to thus compensate for variations in the width of the stock and to ensure pressing the stock against the left edge of the slot.

The stock is fed through the die element 13 and 14 by the arrangement shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Spaced rods are mounted in the block 35 and extend rearwardly below the level of the die plates. Aslide block 8| is slidable on the rods 88 and is urged towards the block 35 by coil springs 82. A finger 83 is pivotally mounted on the block 8| and is slidable in a slot 84 in the upper die block so that in its forward position the hooked end of the finger extends into the piercing in the stock left by the crowfoot link I3.

The block 8| is also provided with a roller 85 disposed beneath a cam 86 in the punch. Vertical movement of the cam 86 causes the block 8| to slide rearwardly against the action of the spring 82 and causes the-finger 83 to move the stock rearwardly through the die.

The die punch comprises a housing 81 slidably mounted around the support plate 3|, see Fig. 1. A plunger 88 is vertically reciprocable with the housing 81 and is provided with a C-shaped arrangement 89, see Fig. 9. Its upper end has upper and lower rollers bearing against the cam 90 which is keyed to the shaft 32. Turning movement of the cam 90 thus raises and lowers the plunger 88. The lower front face of the housing 81 is provided with an integral forwardly extending foot 9| to which the die punch is bolted. The blanking and piercing die is provided with a punch 92 which is shaped to blank the crowfoot link l3 and enters the die opening 16, a punch 93 which is shaped to provide the piercings l4 and which enters the opening 11, and a false punch 94 whose purpose will hereinafter be described. The die elements 13 and 14 and the die block 31 are provided with a vertical opening 95 through which the scrap stock from the piercings l4 drop through the machine.

The clapping die The dapping die 20 comprises a single die plate 96 which straddles the channel 36 spaced from and parallel to the die plates 13 and 14. The plate 96 is provided with a transverse channel 91 through which the plate 4| is slidable, and a die opening 98 which tapers downwardly as shown in Fig. 5. The die punch 99 is conical in shape and is provided with a flat, end adapted to push into the center flat portion H of the crowfoot link l3. The punch 99 is operated by a plunger arrangement I89 similar to the ar-- rangement for operatin the die l2; reciprocation of the die being provided by the cam II on the shaft 32 in timed relation to the movement of the die I2.

The inserting. die

The inserting. die 2| comprises a dieiplate k221i which also straddles the channek 3.5. in spaced parallel. relation to the dies- I2 and 29; The; die plate I62.- is provided with a channel I03, through which the stock is pulled by the feed: arrangement. I04 at the rear of. the die similar; to; the feed; on the die I2. Inasmuch as the stockv is turned before it. enters. the die 2], the guide: isnow'provided on the right. side of thev slot I03. The die plate I02. must therefore be provided with a. loose, plate I0.5'.t.o the left .of the; slot. I03- and: bearing against the left edge of; the stock.

The die plate W2, is provided: with a tapered opening I816 over the slot. I03; The. punch Ill} comprises an integral. portion. Ifl8;which.is1pr.ovided with a. hollow slightly inwardly tapered end. adapted to fit over. the upstanding arms of;the crowfoot link I3, and a vertical. adjustable rod adapted to contact the center. I of the crowfoot link, see. Fig. .12. The outer portion of the; punch- I08 is; provided .With. an, integral washer or annular ring I09, for supporting a coil spring H0. surroundingthe punch. The plunger arrangement III for operating. the punch is also provided with a vertical pin H2adapted tobear against the upper end of the rod156 as shown in-Fi-g. 2. The-arrangement III is si-milarto the hereinabove described arrangement for operating the dies I2 and.20 and is controlled by a cam M3,: on the shaft 32,- the camsall and H3 operating simultaneously so that the dies I2 and 2| operating in unison, and the cam IIII being oppositely disposed so that the die operates alternately with the dies I2 and 2I. The guide plate IE5 is operated by a downwardly extending finger ion the plunger arrangement III; and is adapted to; move the plate inwardly-at each downward movement of the plunger. in a manner similar to the finger 94a-on the; plunger 98.

The punch IO'I- is so positioned that the stock willbe contacted and held in position before the plunger reache the bottom of its stroke. Additionalmotion is taken up by the spring 9- and permitsfthe pin II2 to contact and move the plu r, 56.

The cutting and drawing die.

The cutting and, drawing die 23- comprises spaced superimposed die plates H5 and. IIS straddling the channel 36 above theblock 66. The plates 5- and IIS are separated by'a spaced element II'I forming a wide slot H8 extending between the plate through. which the/stock. and

the-crowfoot links are fed. Avertical die'opening H9 extends throughthe plates Iliand H5 in alignment with the opening 51 in the block 66. The cutting i done on the shoulders of the lower die element H6 and the drawing is done at. the lower end of the opening H9, asflt I20, where thepassageway is restricted.

The diepunch 23 is provided withtwo operatingportions; I2-I and I22 each'operable from acaIn mounted on theshaft 32, the portion I2I operating from a cam I23 and the portion; I22 operating. from a cam I24. The operating plunger; I2I is provided with a punch-holding assembly I25 which extends forwardly and lat: erally towards the plunger I22, a.nd: theplunger I22 is provided with a laterally extending. member I2|i-having a vertical opening. therethrough in alignment with the punch openings in the assembly I25; The die punch I21 comprises an outer cylindrical blanking plunger I28..fixedto the. assembly I25. The draw punch I 29. is slidable in theiblankingpunch I28- and extends up wardly; into and is adiustably secured. in, the. member- I 26, see Fig. 14. The'lower end of the draw I28 is provided with a recess I30; to

assembly on. dies I2 and 2] as shown inv Fig. 3.

Furthermore, thedie plates are provided with a. centeringguide I32. operable by an arm, I-33 on the die punch and adapted to guide the stock through the die against the right edge of the slot II8.

The cam. I24 i similar to the cam I23. except. that it is provided with an additional bumper high-point I34: adjacent one edge and. an inset or lower point I35v diagonally opposite andadjacent the opposite edge. With this. construction,- the plungers. I2I. and I22 will raise andv lower simultaneously thus causing the cutting. and drawing plungers. I28 and I29 to raise and. lower. simultaneously. However, once at every revolutionthe plunger I22, operating the draw punch I29. will be given an additional downward and upward motion synchronized to occur at the lower end of the stroke. and iustprior to. the lift ing of the plunger [2 I.

The drawing die The drawing die 26 comprises a plunger I 36 similar. to the operating plunger of the dies I2, 20, and. 2! and operating from a cam I3! on the operating shaft. The die punch, I.3.B comprises a hollow cylindrical body having a wavy. bottom edge conforming toithe edge. of the links, and an. inner. adjustable plunger I38a. The punch I38passes through a die plate I39 on the block 35. The. die assembly I40 is-removablylocked in. a recess I4I extending into the front of the die bed or plate 35. It comprises. a block- I42 having a vertical opening. I43- therethrough, which as shown in Fig. 15 is alignedwith an element. I43a. having an opening I'43b which is suflicientlywide at its upper end to accommodate the chain links and the die punch and it tapers inwardly to provide the drawing action of the die. Below the. tapered portion are a pair of split the friction elements I44 adjustably urged towardseachother by. the spring I45andscrew mete frictionally retard. the movement of the chain through the die.

Safety stop mechanism The hereinabove described assembly is also provided with asafetystop me'chanismto insure complete accuracy and prevent jamming. I Referring to Figs. 1, 19, 21 and.22, the. stop mechanism is mounted on the frame adjacent th belt and pulley drive 33 An arm I4!- is transversely pivotally mounted onv the side of the frame 39 at I4-1a.a.nd has adependingarm I48 which is adjustably fixed thereto. The arm I48 is provided with an idler pullley I49 at its lower end bearing against-the drivebelt. The arm I48 is also provided withan integralforwardly extending handle I50. A spring I5I is attached to, the frame 30 and the inner end of the arm I4.'Iand is adapted to resiliently urge the arm I4I;.arm I48, and roller I49. away from the drive belt whichis-normally loose so that the machine will-not operate unlessv the roller I49.- is-pushed inwardlyv againstethebelt to take up theslack.

To..-hold. thefbelt in operating position, the

bar I41 is provided with a laterally extending ratchet tooth I52 which is held in operating position by the latch hook I53, when the handle I50 is manually pushed downwardly. The latch hook I53 comprises a plate I54 which is pivotally mounted at the front of the frame 30, on a pivot pin I55. A spring I56, fixed to the plate and frame, is adapted tomretain the frame in pivoted position to the right so that the hook I53 engages the tooth I52. The upper edge of the plate I54 is provided with a V-shaped cutout I51.

A cam I58 is fixed to the shaft 32 adjacent the drive pulley and is adapted to engage a roller I59 on an arm I60 pivoted to the side of the frame. A bar |6I is reciprocatably mounted on the front of the frame 30 and carries a plate I62 having an opening I63 through which the forward end of the arm I60 extends. The engagement of the cam I58, roller I59, and arm I60 causes downward movement of the bar I6I. Upward movement of the bar is provided by a spring I64 attached to the upper end of the bar. The plate I62 is also provided along on edge with a hook portion I65.

A second bar I66 is mounted adjacent and parallel to the bar |6I by means of conventional pins and slots permitting vertical movement. A latch member I61 is pivoted on the front of the bar and is adapted to swing into the path of movement of the hook portion I65. The bar I66 is also provided with a projecting pin I68 adapted to enter the cut-out I51 in the plate I54.

An electro-magnet I69 is mounted on the frame 30 and is provided with a magnetically operable arm I10 having a resilient extension extending between pins I1I in the latch member I61 and normally retains the latch member in pivoted position to the left out of the path of movement of the hook I65. The top of the bar I66 is provided with a laterally extending hook I12 so that upward movement of the 'bar I6I will raise the bar I66 after it has been lowered. One of the stock positioning devices is shown in Fig. 20, the die plate being omitted for clearness.

The operation The operation of the machine may now be described:

The stock I0 is fed into the blanking and piercing die I2 by inserting into the slot 15, Fig. 4;. The handle I50 of the stop mechanism is pushed downwardly until the tooth I52 is caught by the hook I53, the arm I48 and roller I49 taking up the slack in the drive belt and causing turning movement of the pulleyand of the shaft 32.

In the first cycle of operation, rotation of the cam 46 causes the upper end of the rocker arm 44 to swing to the right, Fig. 1, the lower end of the arm pulls the block 38 and carrier plate 4| to the left until the opening 42 in the plate is in vertical alignment with :the die opening 16. Simultaneously, the cam 90 causes the housing 61 and the punches 92 and 93 to descend. The punch 93 forms the piercings I4, the surplus stock dropping out of the machine through the opening 95. The punch 92 blanks out the crowfoot link I3 and pushes it into the opening 42 in the plate 4|. The die I2 now lifts and the cam 48 causes the rocker arm 44 to pivot in the opposite direction. The block 38 slides to the right carrying the plate 4| under the die plate 96 and positioning the crowfoot links I3 beneath the die punch 99.

In the meanwhile, the springs 82 push the 10 block 8| and finger 83 into the die 13, the finger 03 engaging the opening in the stock left by the crowfoot link. On the next stroke of the die I2, the cam 86 will move the block BI and finger 63 rearwardly, thus pulling the stock through the die.

Simultaneously with the motion of the plate 4| to the right, the cam 63 and rocker arm 59 causes the block 49 to slide to the left, the plate 4| sliding over the block 49 until the openings 42 and 50 are in alignment. The cam IOI causes the casing I00 and punch 99 to descend, the link I3 being clapped as shown in Fig. 25- and being pushed into the block 49. Further movement of the cam 63 and rocker arm 59 pulls the block 49 to the right beneath the inserting die 2 I. The stock I 0, which emerges from the rear of the die I 2, is given a half turn by hand to position the burrs inwardly while passing it beneath the machine to the front and into the die 2|.

The cam I I3 moves the housing II I and punch I08 downwardly; the pin I I2 pushing the plunger 56 and causing the lever arm 54 to push upwardly. This causes the plunger 5| to push the dapped crowfoot link I3 upwardly out of the block 49 and into the piercing-s I4 in the stock; the punch I08 pulling the arms of the link I3 inwardly, Fig. 27. Further downward movement, which is taken up by the spring IIO, causes the plunger 5| to give the link I3 an additional bump to form the depressed portion 22, Fig. 28.

The stock I0, carrying the link I 3, is passed beneath the machine and into the slot I I8 of the cutting and drawing die 23. The cams I23 and I24, working in unison, cause the punch I21 to descend, the outer portion I28 cutting the segment 24 from the stock.

The punch I28 continues through the die plate II 6. In the meanwhile, the block 49, carrying the plate 64 has been moved to the left by the rocker arm 59, bringing the plate opening 65 under the die 23. As the segment 24 reaches the restricted portion I20 of the die, downward motion of the punch I28 ceases. However, the cam, I24 gives the inner punch I29 an Iadditional downward push drawing the segment 24 into the form. shown in Figs. 31 and 32. Simultaneously, plunger 68 is pushed upwardly against the arms I9 of the segment and causing the enlarged heads I5 of the crowfoot links I3 to move 'inwardly beyond the edge of the link 25.

The die 23 now raises and the rocker arm 59 moves the block 49 and plate 64 beneath the assembly draw die 26. The segment 24 is carried beneath the die punch I 38, Fig. 15. The punch I36 pushes the segment through the draw die,

positioning each segment over the previous one as in Fig. 33, the spring I45 and split die parts I44 retarding movement of the chain links. As each segment is pushed over the other andv drawn, the enlarged heads I5 of the crowfoot links I3 are pushed upwardly into the next segment, around its crowfoot link, and beyond the arms I9. The drawing action of the die 26 cramps the parts together, see Fig. 34, so that each-crowfoot link can no longer be withdrawn from the adjacent segment. This forms the links into a finished, connected snake chain.

To insure accuracy without danger of jamming or breaking the dies, the feed is provided with the safety stop mechanism hereinabove described. Referring to Figs. 4 and 1'7, the die I2 the die. The punch 94 is slidably mounted in a vertical recess, and is releasably retained in lowered position by a transverse spring pressed pin I13 having itsinner' end bearing against a shallow cut-out I14 in the punch 94. If the feed is inaccurate, the punch 94 will hit the stock In and be pushed upwardly, forcing the pin I13 outwardly against the action of its spring. The outer end of the pin hits a pivoted arm I15 which swings and closes an electric circuit, Fig. 19, the current passing through the machine and through the electromagnet His.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 21 and 22', the magnet I69 pulls the arm I'll! t the right, which causes the latch hook I61 to pivot to the right inthe path of vertical reciprocation of the plate I62. The plate hook I65 engages the hook I51 and moves it and the bar I66 downwardly. This causes the pin I68 to enter the cut-out I51 and pivot the plate I54 to the left, releasing the latch I53 from the latch hook I52. The spring II pivots the arm I41 and moves the roller I 49 away from the drive belt, easing the tension and stopping the machine. Since the cam I54 has four high points, the bar ISI will reciprocate 4 times for each revolution of the shaft 32. Thus, if the stop mechanism is set in motion, the machine will make only one-fourth A) of a revolution before it is stopped.

The die 23 is also provided with a safety stop mechanism which is tied into the same wiring circuit, Fig. 19, A false punch I16, similar to the punch 94, is slidably mounted at the rear of the die and is adapted to operate a spring pressed pivoted lever I11 which engages a contact I18 and sets ofithe electric stop mechanism as hereinabove described.

The above described machine will manufacture a continuous length of snake chain with great speed, a high degree of accuracy, and a minimum of break-downs.

While I have described a specific machine and a specific method of assembly, it is obvious that changes may be made in themachine and method without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim: n

1. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links from a metallic strip, piercing a metallic strip, inserting each connecting link into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip containing the same, drawing the assemblies obtained from the last mentioned step into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain lin-k ona previously formed chain link, and drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connecting links to the chain links.

2. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links from a metallic strip and piercing the same metallic strip, inserting each connecting link into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the assemblies obtained from the last mentioned step into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain link on a previously formed chain link, and drawing the superimposed chain links'to lock the connecting links to the chain links.

3. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connectthe piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the assemblies obtained from the last mentioned step into" the former chain links, superimposing each chain link on a previously formed chain link, and drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connectinglinks to the chain links.

4.111 the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connectin links having a plurality of arms from a metallic strip and substantially simultaneously piercing a plurality of openings in the metallic strip, inserting each connecting link arm into a piercing, cutting the piercingsandthe connecting links from the strip, drawing the assemblies obtained from the lastmentioned step into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain link on a previously formed chain link, and drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connecting links to the chain links.

5. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting' links having'a plurality of arms from a metal lic strip and simultaneously piercing a plurality of openings in the metallic strip, inserting each connecting link arm into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the assemblies obtained from the last mentioned. step into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain link on a previously formed chain link, inserting the arms-of each connecting link through the piercings of the next formed chain link, anddrawing the superim posed chain links to lock the connecting links to the chainlinks. I

6. In the continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing the metallic strip, dapping each connecting link, inserting each connecting link into a piercing, cutting the piercings andthe connecting links from the strip, drawing the assemblies obtained from the last mentioned. step into the form of chain li-nks,-. superimposing each chain link on a previously formed chain link, and drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connecting links-to the chain links.

'7. In acontinuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links having a-plurality of arms from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing a plurality ofopenings in the metallic strip, dapping each connecting link, inserting each connecting link arm into a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting links from the strip, drawing the assemblies obtained from the last mentioned step into the form of chain links, superimposing .each chainlink on a previously formed chain link, and

drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connectinglinks to the chain links.

8.- In a continuous manufacture of snake chains, the steps of blanking successive connecting links having a plurality of arms from a metallic strip and simultaneously piercing a plurality of openings inthemetallic strip, dapping each connecting link, inserting each connecting link arminto a piercing, cutting the piercings and the connecting linksfrom the strip, drawing the assemblies obtained from the last mentioned step into the form of chain links, superimposing each chain link on a previously formed chain link, inserting the arms ofeach connecting link through the piercings of the next formed chain link, and drawing the superimposed chain links to lock the connecting links to the chain links.

9. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising means for blanking a connecting link from a metallic strip, means for piercing a metallic strip, means for inserting said link into the piercing, means for cutting said connecting link and piercing from the strip containing the same and shaping the cut-out into a chain link, and means for superimposing successive chain links and locking the connecting links to the chain links to form a completed chain.

10. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising means for blanking a connecting link from a metallic strip and piercing said strip, means for inserting said link into the piercing, means for cutting said connecting link and piercing from said strip and shaping the cut-out into a chain link, and means for superimposing successive chain links and locking the connecting links to the chain links to form a completed chain.

11. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising means for blanking a connecting link from a metallic strip and substantially simultaneously piercing said strip, means for inserting said link into the piercing, means for cutting said connecting link and piercing from said strip and shaping the cut-out into a chain link, and means for superimposing successive chain links and locking the connecting links to the chain links to form a completed chain.

12. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising means for blanking a connecting link from a metallic strip and substantially simultaneously piercing said strip, means for dapping said connecting link, means for inserting said link into the piercing, means for cutting said connecting link and piercing from said strip and shaping the cut-out into a chain link, and means for superimposing successive chain links and locking the connecting links to the chain links to form a completed chain.

13. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising a frame, a blanking and piercing die, a dapping die, an inserting die, a cutting and drawing die, and an assembly draw die on said frame, means for feeding a continuous strip of stock through said blanking and piercing die to obtain a blank from and form a piercing in the strip, means for transferring the blank to the dapping die wherein the blank is dapped, means for feeding the pierced strip through the inserting die, means for transferring the dapped blank to the inserting die, means for feeding the strip and dapped blank through the cutting and drawing die for cutting links from said strip, means for transferring the cut links to the assembly draw die, an operating shaft on said frame, and cams positioned on said shaft for operating said dies and said feed and transfer means in timed relation.

14. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising a frame, a blanking and piercing die, a dapping die, an inserting die,

.- cutting and drawing die, and an assembly draw die on saidframe, means for feeding a continuous strip of stock through said blanking and piercing die to obtain a blank from and form a piercing in the strip, means for transferring the blank to the dapping die wherein the blank is dapped, means for feeding the pierced strip through the inserting die, means for transferring the dapped blank to the inserting die, means for feeding the strip and dapped blank through the cutting and drawing die for cutting links from said strip, means for transferring the cut links to the assembly draw die, an operating shaft on said frame, cams positioned on said shaft for operating said dies and said feed and transfer means in timed relation, and means for stopping the machine when the strip is fed into said machine out of timed relation with said dies.

15. A machine for the continuous manufacture of snake chain comprising a frame, a blanking and piercing die, a dapping die, an inserting die, a cutting and drawing die, and an assembly draw die on said frame, means for feeding a continuous strip of stock through said blanking and piercing die to obtain a blank from and form a piercing in the strip, means for transferring the blank to the dapping die wherein the blank is dapped, means for feeding the pierced strip through the inserting die, means for transferring the dapped blank to the inserting die, means for feeding the strip and dapped blank through the cutting and drawing die for cutting links from said strip, means for transferring the cut links to the assembly draw die, an operating shaft on said frame, cams positioned on said shaft for operating said dies and said feed and transfer means in timed relation, and electrically controlled means for stopping the machine when the strip is fed into said machine out of timed relation with said dies.

AUGUST J. ENGLAND. 

